Page 68 of Untamed
A flank man is the person who fits the flank strap on the bull and tightens it, if necessary, as the bull exits the chute. Different bulls respond to flank straps in different ways, making it important for the flank man to know the bull's tendencies. This knowledge helps a flank man judge how tight or loose to make the flank strap on a given bull. Because this knowledge of each bull is so important, a flank man often is the stock contractor who owns the bull or a livestock supervisor who works for that stock contractor.
It takes me most of the morning to get my chores done, even though I’m bouncing around like Mary Poppins. Haylee’s in my room sleeping in my bed with Morgan. I kick at the bed and set the dream catcher on my nightstand being super careful of it. “What are you doing in here?”
Her eyes pop open, startled. “Shit . . . what time is it?”
“Late enough you two shouldn’t still be sleeping. Did you sleep here last night?”
She nods. “Tucker is a fuckin’ asshole. I came over to see you, saw you in the barn, so I came up here. Morgy Moo snuck in.” Haylee yawns and sits up. Two beer cans in my bed fall to the floor. “Don’t worry, she’s sober. What the hell were you doing in there?”
That familiar burn returns to my cheeks. “Eight Seconds,” I whisper, the thrill of his touch gives my words a particular pitch.
I also can barely keep the tears from my eyes when I realize he’s really gone and I have no idea why I’m acting this way. And then it hits me. Icanfollow him. Icango see him in Biloxi. Nothing’s stopping me. I’m eighteen now. This is my chance. This is me being me and doing something for myself.
My phone beeps on my nightstand and I think it might be Grayer since I gave him my number. It’s Joel and my heart hurts reading his message.
Joel: Come over tonight.
Grayer is absolutely right. I am better than this. I’m not that girl and I deserve someone to love me, or at least try to. I will never reply to his texts again.
Morgan takes her pillow and walks into her own room, apparently needing more sleep. When Morgan’s out of the room, I smile at Haylee and sit down on the edge of my bed. “Let’s go to Biloxi, Mississippi,” I say, waiting for her reaction.
Her brow furrows. “What’s in Biloxi?”
“Pro bull riding. . . .”
She sits up, cheeks rosy and hair all over the place. “Let me get this straight.” She waves her hand around. “You want to drive to Biloxi, Mississippi, to see a bull rider you met a few days ago.”
“Yeah, but when you say it like that, it sounds sorta desperate.”
Haylee laughs. “No, it’s not desperate. Hanging around a married man hoping he’s going to pick you, that’s fuckin’ desperate.”
I stick out my bottom lip. “I’m sorry, girl. He’s a dick.”
“He’s a douche.” Running her hands over her hair, she smooths it out. “Well, we planned to leave anyway so I’m game. When do we leave?”
“Like . . . now.” I reach into my closet and start throwing clothes in a bag. “Let’s just do it. Get in your truck and run away.”
Haylee gasps, sitting up. “Yes. Finally! You said he has brothers, right?”
“He’s got two brothers,” I tell her, smiling so wide I don’t think it’s going to fade. “Reid and Ty.”
“See,” Haylee stands and puts her jean shorts on and then reaches for her keys, “now we’re talking. Road trip, baby!”
It hits me that I need a plan when Haylee and I are standing in my bedroom, me holding a bag of clothes, the dream catcher inside it, and an envelope of money. I hold the money up. “Mom gave me a thousand dollars. How much you got?”
“Little over two thousand I think. I’ve been saving for a couple years now.”
“Now what?” I watch Haylee, waiting, wondering if she has an idea what to do.
Her eyes dart from mine to the bag and then back to me. “Let’s go. I’ve had a bag packed in my truck since graduation.”
“You have?” I don’t know why that shocks me, but it does.
“Yep.”
My stomach jumps when my phone beeps. Thinking again, it might be Grayer. I look down—it’s Joel again.
Joel: Where are you?
